Shop's Log #19: Hock Marking Knife

Hi everyone. Another quick Blog to share a marking knife I just completed. Have had this Hock blade sitting in the shop for a year, and decided to put him to work since my other main knife has a round handle and rolls badly.

This blade has a full-tang, so should make a stronger user! I didn’t care for the square edges on the original blade, so used french curves and a sharpie to lay out a few nice curves.

A quick trip to the grinder, and I had a sexy shape to play with. I also used the belt sander to smooth the outer shapes.

Next, I chose some highly figured East Indian Rosey, and laminated a flat piece of Elk antler to one end. Re-sawed the blank in 1/2 to create bookmarked scales!

Using double-sided tape, I positioned the knife blade exactly where I wanted it on the scale, and proceeded to drill holes for the pins. First, drilling one scale. Then, more tape to position the opposite one, before drilling through the first set of holes and into the second scale. Make sense?

I also traced the outline of the steel onto each scale, so extra wood could be removed quickly at the scroll saw. I’ll sand the wood down flush with the steel later, but want to use the scroll saw to save time now.

For a little accent, I cut some red vulcanized plastic spacers which will seat against the steel blade. Also decided to use stainless steel pins to match the blade on this piece. All waiting for a little heat and epoxy…it was 52 degrees in the shop even with the heat pump running!

No boring photos of the clamping, although I did manage to epoxy one plywood caul to the lovely rosewood! oops!

I spent a few more minutes at the belt sander to true up the edges of wood and steel, but final shaping was done with handheld sandpaper against a dowel or block of wood.

And, then, an hour of sanding to 800 grit while rounding over the edges of the handle…buffed wax for a finish…

Nice. Heavy. I even honed the edges and scored a few test lines. Sweet user! And the square shape won’t roll off the bench.

It was a shame to cover up Mr. Hock’s name on the steel, since He has such nice blades, but that’s the way it goes! I still consider it a Hock Knife!

You must share with me all the tool secrets down deep inside your memories. Teach me to sharpen saws, restore braces, and honor my fellow man. Instill in my cells the love of vintage hand tools, and the desire to surround myself with as many as possible…even learning how to use a few!

I asked a question about actual steel knives on the project post. But I see you mentioned the idea of getting a forge. Man, if that ever comes to fruition I can only begin to imagine the kind of blades you’re gonna make. Couldn’t wait to see some TerryR original folded Damascus with some incredible scale work. Thanks for sharing Terry.

-- Jake -- "Not only do we live among the stars, the stars live within us." - Neil Degrasse Tyson

I have a similar project I’ve been putting off for a long time. Can you share a little more info on how you fastened the parts together? Is there an epoxy applied to the pins?

I have a on old blade that already has the holes drilled. I was going to match the holes in 2 pieces of river birch that I’d cut down and milled a while back. Where in the hardware store would I find those kinds of pins?

Thanks in advance. Seeing your blade is what inspired me to pick up my old project. It’s been sitting in my workbench for over a year.

Lots of choices for pin material. Usually $2 per foot or less. Shipping is the killer in the deal. But other metals can be used, maybe cold-rolled steel from the hardware store? I haven’t tried it, but it’s round and should polish to be pretty. I’ve also used micarta, carbon fiber, and Delrin. If you have anything round in your shop, it may work fine to hold the handle together, if you want to save money?

Worst case scenario, the handle comes apart in a couple of years, then you get to try again! :)